The rumor mill has been churning with this one for quite a while, and finally actor Morgan Freeman has issued a statement denying the gossip that he plans to marry his step-granddaughter.

Back in 2009, the National Enquirer ran a report that Freeman had been dating his step-granddaughter, E’Dena Hines, for 10 years. The rumors resurfaced last week with the claim that Freeman intends to marry Hines.

On Thursday, Morgan went on the record about what he called “fabrications” regarding his love life.

Both Freeman, 74, and Hines, 37, the granddaughter of Freeman’s first wife, Jeanette Adair Bradshaw – released statements refuting the claims made by the National Enquirer.

“The recent reports of any pending marriage or romantic relationship of me to anyone are defamatory fabrications from the tabloid media design[ed] to sell papers,” the twice-married Morgan Freeman told CNN. “What is even more alarming is that these fabrications are now being [picked up] by the legitimate press as well.”

E’Dena Hines told CNN that “these stories about me and my grandfather are not only untrue, they are also very hurtful to me and my family.”

Freeman and Bradshaw divorced in 1979 after 12 years of marriage, and he and second wife, Myrna Colley-Lee, divorced in 2010.